REM have released 2004 studio out-take “Fascinating” to benefit Mercy Corps’ Hurricane Dorian relief effort in the Bahamas.

The song was originally recorded for 2001’s Reveal and was a favourite of Michael Stipe’s but was ultimately cut from the final tracklisting because of its length. The band had another crack at the song during the sessions for Around The Sun at Compass Point studios in Nassau, the Bahamas – and fittingly, this is the version now released to help fund the relief effort in the country.

Advertisement

You can hear “Fascinating” here and download it for a minimum donation of $2.

“I have been fortunate to spend many weeks working and playing in the Bahamas, making friends and lots of music there,” says REM’s Mike Mills. “It breaks my heart to see the damage wrought by Hurricane Dorian. Please help us and Mercy Corps do what we can to alleviate the suffering caused by this catastrophe.”

The October 2019 issue of Uncut is on sale from August 15, and available to order online now – with Patti Smith on the cover. Inside, you’ll find Bon Iver, Robbie Robertson, Jeff Buckley, Miles Davis, Brittany Howard, The Hollies, Devendra Banhart, Neil Young and Bob Dylan and more. Our 15-track CD also showcases the best of the month’s new music, including Wilco, Oh Sees, Hiss Golden Messenger and Tinariwen.